History

Intent

Our history curriculum aims to inspire curiosity and fascination about the past in Britain and the world, whilst developing chronological knowledge and an enquiring mind. Our aim is that, through the teaching of History, we stimulate all children’s interest and understanding about the life of people who lived in the past. We aim to make all children aware of the actions of important people in history and enable children to know about significant events in British history, whilst appreciating how things have changed over time. History will also ensure our children understand how Britain developed as a society, contributing to their understanding of their country of residence. Furthermore, our children will learn about aspects of local, British and Ancient history.

Our intention is to encourage children to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. Through the teaching of history, we endeavour to teach pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, including those of the present, the process of change, the diversity of societies and beliefs, whilst celebrating these differences. Local history is taught in both key stages of our history curriculum and we want our children to develop an appreciation for the people and events that are part of our local, national and international history.  

Implementation

In History, we implement an inclusive curriculum that meets the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum whilst inspiring a love of the past.  We use progression grids to ensure there is clear skills, knowledge and vocabulary progression throughout school. Our curriculum is well-planned and is taught as part of our vehicle or in discrete lessons. We are in the process of linking our history curriculum through themes and starting with a focus question. This is to help children to retrieve their previous learning and focus their historical ideas.

Across Key Stage 1, children begin to develop an awareness of the past using historical vocabulary. They study people and events and begin to identify similarities and differences between different time periods. Children learn some of the ways in which we find out about the past and how events studied fit into the chronological framework.

Within Key Stage 2, children build on prior knowledge and continue to develop chronologically secure knowledge of British, local and world history. Children learn to develop historically valid questions, identifying contrasts and trends over time, and make connections. Children also learn how our knowledge of the past is constructed through a range of sources.

A series of stimulating lessons are planned, with clear knowledge and skills-based learning objectives and subject-specific vocabulary. All learning will start by revisiting prior knowledge. This will be scaffolded to support children to recall previous learning and make connections. Staff will model explicitly the subject-specific vocabulary, knowledge and skills relevant to the learning to allow them to integrate new knowledge into larger concepts.

Our historians will be given a variety of enrichment and experiences both in and out of the classroom where appropriate to create memorable learning opportunities and to further support and develop their understanding.

Our history learning is assessed at the end of each year stating whether children are working towards, at or exceeding age-related expectations. 

Impact

Our history curriculum is high quality and ensures that children have a strong knowledge of historical events, a coherent understanding of chronology and an appreciation of the impact that history has on the modern world. Our children enjoy and love learning about history by gaining knowledge and skills.

Through the breadth and depth that our curriculum offers, our children become passionate historians, who are inspired by the subject, are curious to find out more about the past and have a love of history that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

History Progression

The National Curriculum is designed to be progressive, meaning the knowledge and skills are built upon from one year to the next. At Bradley Barton, we have designed our history curriculum to ensure that this knowledge progresses chronologically. 

If you would like to know more about history at Bradley Barton, Miss Medland is the history leader and would happily discuss it with you. Additionally, if you can offer any expertise or artifacts to enrich the history curriculum at our school, Miss Medland would be delighted to hear from you.